Best Ramen in Nakameguro: 5 Top Shops to Try
- Aug 29
- 3 min read
Best Ramen in Nakameguro: 5 Top Shops to Try
Looking for the best ramen in Nakameguro? You're in one of Tokyo's most stylish neighborhoods, and it's only a few minutes from Shibuya, but with a fraction of the crowds. The Meguro River runs right through it, lined with cafes, boutiques, and some of the city's most interesting ramen shops.
This is a neighborhood built for people who want to wander, so pace yourself and make room for a bowl or two along the way. Here are 5 standout spots that show off just how much range Nakameguro's ramen scene has.
1. Ramen Jazzy Beats
Tucked beneath the train tracks along a lantern-lit street, Ramen Jazzy Beats opened in 2024 as an offshoot of the well-loved Ramen Break Beats in nearby Yutenji. The specialty is a toripaitan niboshi broth. This means chicken blended with dried fish and it all comes comes out smooth and velvety, with a punchy depth from the niboshi.
Despite its rich look, the broth stays surprisingly light all the way to the last drop. The presentation matches the setting: soft lighting, mellow music, and bowls plated like small works of art.
Good for: Anyone who wants their ramen stop to double as a lounge-like experience, not just a quick meal.
2. Menya Mikan (麺や みかん)
Menya Mikan takes the classic Tokyo shoyu bowl — the one with naruto (fishcake), bamboo shoots, nori, and a round cut of chashu — and elevates it without losing the nostalgia. The broth is built from pork, chicken, mackerel, and bonito, finished with a thin layer of chicken oil that softens and rounds out the flavor.
Opened in 2024 specifically to bring an old-fashioned style of ramen to the neighborhood, it's kept an appropriately modest price point for what you get.
Good for: Travelers who want to taste "classic Tokyo ramen" done with real precision, rather than the tourist-facing version.
3. Teuchi Asama (手打ち あさま)
Most ramen shops rely on machine-cut noodles for consistency and speed. Teuchi Asama does it the hard way — dough kneaded and hand-cut to order, right in front of the counter's nine seats. The noodles are made from specialty Hokkaido wheat, paired with a broth built on black Satsuma chicken for serious depth.
Even the eggs get this level of attention, sourced from a specific farm in Tochigi Prefecture. It's a shop that sells out once the noodles run out, so earlier is better.
Good for: Noodle purists who want to watch the craft happen, not just eat the result.
4. Niigata Sanpo-tei Tokyo Lab (新潟三宝亭 東京ラボ 中目黒店)
If you can't decide between mapo tofu and ramen, this shop solves that problem for you. Its signature Mabomen tops thick, chewy noodles with a rich, spicy mapo tofu sauce, built from doubanjiang, garlic, ginger, and Sichuan peppercorns, with the spice level fully customizable.
Everything here leans into Niigata culture, from the rice (sourced through a direct farm contract) to the handcrafted stainless steel bowls made using traditional Tsubame-Sanjo techniques. In colder months, keep an eye out for specials like the snow crab nabeyaki miso ramen, served bubbling in a clay pot.
Good for: Spice lovers or anyone who wants something that barely resembles "typical" ramen.
5. Menya Craze (麺屋 栩羚廚 中目黒)
The newest name on this list, Menya Craze opened its Nakameguro location in early 2025, following an original shop in Kyoto. It's a small, 11-seat counter built entirely around a single idea: extra-rich tonkotsu, served in limited quantities each day.
The soup is thick, heavy, and indulgent — a deliberate contrast to the lighter, more delicate styles found elsewhere on this list.
Good for: Tonkotsu diehards who want proof that Nakameguro isn't just delicate broths and design-forward shops.
---
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best ramen shop in Nakameguro?
It depends on what you're craving — Ramen Jazzy Beats stands out for its rich chicken fish ramen and atmosphere, while Menya Craze is the pick for rich, traditional tonkotsu.
Is Nakameguro a good area for ramen in Tokyo?
Yes. Nakameguro sits just minutes from Shibuya but draws far fewer crowds, and its ramen scene ranges from classic Tokyo shoyu to modern fusion styles, all within a short walk of the station.
Do I need a reservation for ramen in Nakameguro?
No, none of the shops on this list require reservations, though smaller counters like Teuchi Asama and Menya Craze can sell out of noodles or ingredients earlier in the day.
What's the best way to try multiple ramen styles in Nakameguro?
Since most shops only comfortably fit one bowl per visit, joining a guided Tokyo Ramen Tour is the easiest way to sample several styles in one outing without the guesswork.
Comments